Urinary polyaromatic hydrocarbons are associated with adult celiac disease and kidney stones: USA NHANES, 2011–2012

Abstract

Links between environmental chemicals and human health have emerged over the last few decades, but the effects from polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were less studied, compared to other commonly known environmental chemicals such as heavy metals, phthalates, arsenic, phenols, and pesticides. Therefore, it was aimed to study the relationships of urinary PAH and adult digestive conditions using a large human sample in a national and population-based study in recent years. Data was retrieved from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, 2011–2012 including demographics, self-reported health conditions, and urinary PAH. Statistical analyses included chi-square test, t test, survey-weighted logistic regression modeling, and population attributable risk (PAR) estimation. Of 5560 American adults aged 20–80 and included in the statistical analysis, urinary 4-hydroxyphenanthrene was significantly associated with celiac disease (odds ratio (OR) 1.61, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.14–2.26, P = 0.009). In addition, urinary 2-hydroxyfluorene (OR 1.35, 95 % CI 1.02–1.78, P = 0.038), 3-hydroxyfluorene (OR 1.35, 95 % CI 1.07–1.70, P = 0.015), 1-hydroxyphenanthrene (OR 1.48, 95 % CI 1.08–2.03, P = 0.017), 1-hydroxypyrene (OR 1.36, 95 % CI 1.05–1.77, P = 0.023), and 2-hydroxynapthalene (OR 1.25, 95 % CI 1.00–1.58, P = 0.054) were significantly associated with kidney stones, although not necessarily failing kidney. There were no statistically significant associations observed in the relationship of urinary PAH and liver problems, although higher levels of PAHs were observed. Urinary PAHs are associated with adult digestive conditions, although the causality cannot be established. From the research perspective, longitudinal monitoring from observational studies and experimental research understanding mechanism would be suggested. Regulation of minimizing PAHs exposure might need to be considered in future health and environmental policies.

1‐Hydroxypyrene mediates renal fibrosis through aryl hydrocarbon receptor signalling pathway

“…Examination Survey data showed that several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, including 1-hydroxypyrene, were significantly associated with kidney stones, although not necessarily with failing kidneys (Shiue, 2016). There were no significant associations observed in the relationship between urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon levels and liver abnormalities (Shiue, 2016).…”

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and the Risk of Kidney Stones in US Adults: An Exposure-Response Analysis of NHANES 2007–2012

“…By collecting information from 5,560 adult participants in NHANES 2011–2012, Shiue found that after adjusting for urinary creatinine, age, sex, BMI, household income to poverty ratio, serum cotinine, alcohol consumption habits, education level, and physical activity level, urinary 2-hydroxyfluorene, 3-hydroxyfluorene, 1-hydroxyphenanthrene, 1-hydroxypyrene, and 2-hydroxynaphthalene were associated with kidney stones. 37 In our study, we expanded the years of data collection and adjusted for sex, age, race, education level, marital status, household income to poverty ratio, BMI, hypertension, diabetes, physical activity level (vigorous and moderate), blood urea nitrogen, uric acid, creatinine, and eGFR. We found that total PAHs, 2-hydroxynaphthalene, 1-hydroxyphenanthrene, 2-hydroxyphenanthrene, and 9-hydroxy fluorene were significantly and positively correlated with the risk of kidney stones.…”

“…Furthermore, we found that stone formers had higher blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, uric acid, total PAHs and lower eGFR than non-stone formers, possibly because PAHs may cause kidney damage by exacerbating kidney dysfunction, which in turn affects the excretion of PAHs. 37 , 38 …”

Comprehensive review of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water sources, their effects and treatments

“…For example, there is a significant association between reduced fertility and smoking among female smokers (Ramesh et al, 2012). Shiue (2016) reported that urinary polyaromatic hydrocarbons, such as 4-hydroxyphenanthrene, were associated with celiac disease, and that urinary 2-hydroxyfluorene, 3-hydroxyfluorene, 1-hydroxyphenanthrene, 1-hydroxypyrene, and 2-hydroxynapthalene were meaningfully associated with kidney stones. Parida et al (2019) stated that BaP can cause behavioral alterations, neuronal damage, teratogenicity, tumor formation, immunosuppression and cognitive and memory dysfunction.…”